FRSICO, Texas – With about 25 minutes remaining and the score tied at 0-0 against Seattle on Wednesday night, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman decided to turn to an injured Brek Shea for a spark.
By the time his star midfielder reached his side, the Sounders had taken a 1-0 lead thanks to a powerful strike from Fredy Montero.
“It was interesting because the score was 0-0 when I called Brek to come into the game,” Hyndman said. “As he’s walking towards the bench, they scored.”
It only got worse for FC Dallas. Shea ignited the crowd for just a brief moment and was on the field for approximately one minute before Montero scored another goal to give Seattle a commanding 2-0 advantage.
HIGHLIGHTS: DAL 0, SEA 2
“I don’t think it was a 2-0 game,” Shea said. “I think the first half goes both ways, but I think in the beginning of the second half, we really dominated. That’s the game of soccer. They had two chances, and they put them away.”
Despite the loss, Hyndman was able to get a good look at Shea, who has been battling turf toe since acquiring the injury on Vancouver’s turf surface late last month.
“Brek is having a little bit of foot trouble but today we did a test with him, and he felt OK,” Hyndman said. “He felt like he could help. I thought if I could get him on the field for 15 to 20 minutes, he would be of help. I think we got the best we could out of Brek today.”
Shea admitted he still feels pain but is happy with the way it felt out on the pitch against Seattle thanks to new orthopedic insoles that have been inserted into his cleats.
“My body felt good, but obviously my toe is a little sore. It’s more annoying than anything,” Shea said. “It feels like there is something in your shoe just poking you. Just pain, but it felt a lot better than it did last week.
“[The insoles] definitely relive a lot of the pressure. It helps a lot. I have some for my regular shoes and my cleats, and it helps them both.”
FC Dallas has now gone five straight games without picking up a victory and desperately need Shea to get healthy soon. The squad hits the road on Saturday as they travel to face Columbus, and Hyndman is optimistic Shea could start.
“I think the big thing we are going to find out now is how he feels after playing 20 minutes,” he said. “I thought his movement today was some of the best we’ve seen since Vancouver.”
If you ask Shea, he’s anxious and ready to play a full match, but will listen to whatever Hyndman and the FC Dallas training staff advise.
“I’m going to do whatever coach asks me,” Shea said. “I want to start. I want to play 90 minutes. It depends on what the trainers think is best for my foot for the long run. It just depends.”
